Richard Rodgers | Tight End | #82

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Packer Report suggests TE Richard Rodgers' roster spot isn't secure.

Rodgers is a poor blocker and molasses-slow receiver, and he is arguably overpaid at his $1.797 million base salary, no portion of which is guaranteed. Martellus Bennett is locked in as the Packers' every-down tight end. Jun 13 - 8:37 PM

Despite entering the game with nine catches total on the season, Rodgers was targeted early and often in this one. He predictably failed to do much with the work, and the targets were likely game-plan specific considering how poorly the Colts cover tight ends. Despite the big game, Rodgers will not be worth using next week against the Titans, especially with Jared Cook (ankle) looking likely to return. Sun, Nov 6, 2016 08:37:00 PM

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Despite entering the game with nine catches total on the season, Rodgers was targeted early and often in this one. He predictably failed to do much with the work, and the targets were likely game-plan specific considering how poorly the Colts cover tight ends. Despite the big game, Rodgers will not be worth using next week against the Titans, especially with Jared Cook (ankle) looking likely to return.

Rodgers out-targeted Jared Cook 3-2, which we suppose is a positive. Rodgers is one of Aaron Rodgers' favorite targets in the red zone, but his scores are too sporadic for anything other than low-end TE2 status.

Packers TE Richard Rodgers caught his lone target for a gain of eight yards in Friday night's third preseason game.

Rodgers shed a bunch of weight this spring in hopes of improving his quickness, but he's still not remotely the athlete Jared Cook is. Rodgers is also well behind Cook on the depth chart based on Friday's preseason usage, playing just 12-of-26 snaps with the Aaron Rodgers group while Cook logged 19-of-26. Rodgers lacks re-draft appeal and should be an afterthought in Dynasty leagues.

Richard Rodgers has slimmed down to 258 pounds after playing as high as 275 last season.

We already knew Rodgers was "noticeably trimmer." Now we know by how much. Rodgers said stopping was as hard as accelerating in 2015. Aaron Rodgers has taken notice of his better conditioning. "He's had a great offseason, and we're primed for him to continue to build on the things he's done in the first couple years." The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel has predicted Rodgers will remain the Packers' No. 1 tight end despite the addition of Jared Cook.

Richard Rodgers played as heavy as 272 pounds last season, but was "noticeably trimmer" this offseason.

Rodgers, who is 6-foot-4, is listed at 257 pounds. 272 is obviously an unacceptable number for a 6-foot-4 tight end, especially one expected to catch passes. Either way, longtime Packers reporter Bob McGinn expects Rodgers to remain the Packers' No. 1 tight end even following the addition of Jared Cook. We're betting against Rodgers matching any of the numbers from his 58/510/8 2015 slash.

Richard Rodgers said he put an emphasis on improving his "all-around" game this offseason.

Rodgers finished fifth among tight ends in touchdowns last season but his role is a bit uncertain heading into 2016. The Packers will likely use some two tight-end sets with Jared Cook and Rodgers, but it's up to Rodgers to round out his game by improving his shoddy run-blocking and sloppy route-running. Rodgers remains a boom-or-bust TE2 for fantasy purposes.

Coach Mike McCarthy suggested the Packers are in the market for a tight end.

"Big people running down the middle of the field, I’ll make no secret about it," McCarthy said. "I think that’s a key to offensive success, whether that’s a big receiver or big tight end or a big man running down the middle of the field, making those safeties cover you." Incumbent tight end Richard Rodgers offers reliable hands, but he lacks the athleticism and after-catch ability to be a big-time factor down the seam. The Packers could utilize Jordy Nelson more in the slot as he comes back from a torn ACL, but they lack real talent outside as well. With the big names in free agency gone and lackluster talent available in the draft, Green Bay might be stuck with Rodgers for another season.

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel expects Richard Rodgers to remain the Packers' starting tight end in 2016.

This year's draft is short on starter-ready tight ends, and Packers GM Ted Thompson annually forgoes free agency. Rodgers, 24, managed 510 yards on 58 catches last season, but did score eight TDs. Although Rodgers has severe athletic limitations and poses little threat after the catch, he could continue to flirt with fantasy relevance in 2016 due to Aaron Rodgers' quarterbacking.

By Rodgers' standards, this was a solid game. It was only his second time with more than 12 yards since Week 13, and it was his fifth game with more than 35 yards all season. Rodgers finished the regular season with 510 yards on 58 receptions (8.8 YPR) with eight touchdowns. Almost 12 percent of his yards came on the Hail Mary touchdown Week 13. Rodgers will be no better than a low-upside TE2 next season.

Depth Charts

Ty Montgomery (leg) is expected to miss the Packers' second preseason game.

Montgomery is "working through" a lower leg injury that's sidelined him the last two days. The missed time creates some depth-chart leaping for fourth-rounder Jamaal Williams, who's getting most of Montgomery's practice reps. Williams is expected to start Saturday at Washington.

It stems from Allison's misdemeanor marijuana possession charge that was settled back in April. Alison will be back Week 2 and figures to have a decent chance at securing the No. 4 receiver job in Green Bay's offense, though the team has consistently churned out receiver talent in recent years. He's certainly not a lock.

In a scary scene, Dupre had to be stretchered off after taking a big hit in the fourth quarter. He was moving his arms, however, and gave a thumbs up on his way off the field. He was taken to the hospital for further evaluation.

Packers C Corey Linsley said he will "follow the plan" for his ankle surgery this year.

Linsley did not follow the plan while recovering from a torn hamstring last year, and it cost him half the season. "I was trying to get ahead of it, and I ended up behind," he said. "Now it’s a matter of knowing I’ll be OK as long as I follow this plan." Coach Mike McCarthy expects Linsley to be ready for camp. With J.C. Tretter now in Cleveland, Linsley is the locked-in starter at center.

Barclay could not put any weight on the leg as he was helped off the field, and he had to ride the cart into the locker room. We should know more soon, but it looks like he could be dealing with a serious injury.